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Atchison Loses Several Community Leaders in 2012

By David Meyer

01/02/2013

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(KAIR) -- The year 2012 was a quieter year than 2011 in terms of tragedies in Atchison, but the year still saw the loss of several noted business leaders and sports figures.

In January, Dick Mize, part of the family lineage of goods distributor Blish Mize, died at the age of 93.

He joined Blish-Mize Co. in Atchison, where he served for 42 years.

He was first a salesman, later becoming sales manager, vice president of sales, and finally president and chief executive officer.

Following his retirement in 1982, he served a number of years as chairman of the board.

In April, longtime football coach at Maur Hill Mount Academy John Flynn passed away at the age of 68.

He assumed the position as head coach in 1977. During his 15 year reign of coaching the Ravens record was ninety-nine wins and forty-eight losses.

He took them to the play-offs six times, won the state championship in 1979, was state runner up in 1984 and state championship winner again in 1992.

In June, Bill Blair died at the age of 75. He was Chairman of the Board of the Blair Milling & Elevator Company.

In July, Larry Kruger passed away at the age of 82.

He was an insurance agent for Prudential Life Insurance and owned and operated Countryside Home Sales in Atchison for over forty years.

In December, Atchison lost Gayle Carlson at the age of 71.

Carlson had worked as an insurance agent for the Farm Bureau Insurance Agency for 40 years retiring in 2000.

He also was an Atchison City Commissioner from 1974-1978 and was on the Planning commission for eight years.